The Executive Function Podcast

Tribe, Times are weird. We are home schooling kids during the Covid19 shelter in place. This episode helps parents understand how to set realistic expectations for themselves and their kids as distance learning gets off to an inevitability bumpy start. Learn how to support your child's learning needs and avoid some of the traps of being at home, with less structure. Hey Kid pep talk addresses a lot of the anxieties and reminds kids that we can strategize this struggle too (16:12). All my love, Sarah

We decide all day: what to eat, what to listen to (like your favorite podcast here). But how do we teach someone the process of making a decision? I've got a great hack for you this week. Hey Kid is at 20:56. All my love, Sarah

When we ask kids to be good at pretty much everything (all academic areas, plus PE, plus social-emotional skills) without considering where they start or what challenges they face, we push them into one of two roads: 1) the frustrated and helpless, maybe take a chance and ask for help (and risk being seen as "dumb" by others road or 2) the act like I don't care and maybe even bad enough to get kicked out of this class because I hate it anyway road. Not great options. But, when we help kids embrace strategizing the struggle, we can present them with a third road: 3) the this is hard but I'm going to try some strategies because everyone needs help and new approaches sometimes road. Listen in to learn how to get your child or class to see and travel this third road. Hey kid pep talk is at 12:58. All my love to my EF tribe, Sarah

Getting started on anything is tougher than we might think...The amount of brain processes that are involved in taking any first step will astound you. And, luckily, we can strategize to support many of them! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 20:28. And PS my mouth said "deficit" when my brain meant "detriment," advanced apologies to my grammar peeps! All my love, Sarah 

If your kid seems genuinely baffled by the results of their actions...this episode is for you! Kids with EF needs often feel like life happens to them, and they need support to see that they indeed have more power than they think! Today I teach you how to "close the feedback loop," helping kids see that their choices create consequences (positive and negative!) This is a beefy episode, worth a few listens. Your challenge this week is to start pointing out what your child does right, specifically connecting their choice to the positive results they created, in the moment. You'll start to see an empowered shift in your child or student! Hey Kid Pep Talk is at 11:55. All my love, Sarah

We’re talking about attention. Not the kind that comes naturally or you want to give freely, but the kind we ask kids to pay. Today I’m going to teach you quick strategies to improve your child’s attention and improve your understanding of your child’s brain! This episode celebrates our bright and misunderstood kids' success stories! Hey Kid pep talk is at 17:40. All my love, Sarah

Which planner is best for my child with executive function needs? Digital or paper? Or, is it better to make one on our own? Where do you start? This episode explores all of these questions and more! Learn what is essential, optional, and customizable for a planner for students middle school through college! Downloadable planner pages to try out are at sarahkesty.com/episode7. All my love, Sarah

New year, new semester...they often mean a fresh start. But, using the same methods to get the "fresh start" just won't work. Learn how to monitor and improve your reactions when your child or student "misbehaves," how to use reflective listening to get great reflections from  your child, and how to use in-the-moment feedback to support your child's resolutions or goals. New Year, here we come! For a list of the questions and talking points in this episode, visit SarahKesty.com. Pep talk is at 20:30. All my love and Happy New Year! Sarah 

Audience: Students and parents, school context

We tell our kids to "study" for tests...but we hardly tell them how. It could be because we don't actually know either! This episode shares the top strategies for studying anything, at any grade level. It also tells you what not to do (i.e. cram all night or reread the text) so that your efforts aren't going against your brain. Science taught me these tips. I tested them with my students. Now I'm sharing them with you! Pep talk is at 15:45 and will share the strategies in student-friendly language. We got this, my wonderful tribe! All my love, Sarah

The semester's almost over, and you're likely feeling the pressure. It's important to know where to put your last-minute energy to get the most from  your efforts. Listen this week to learn top strategies for grade saving now and next semester. These methods work from middle school through college! Grades are not who your child is, but they do matter for their future. Hey kid Pep Talk is at 14:30. Our challenge this week is to just get through, and there are some great graphics (to use as visual prompts on your phone background etc) at facebook.com/executivefunctionpodcast. Sending all my love to you! Sarah